Globe rolls out green carpet for 'Grinch'

Steve Blanchard (center) and the cast of the 2012 production of the "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" at the Old Globe Theatre. Blanchard returns for a third season in the musical's title role.
— Henry DiRocco

Steve Blanchard (center) and the cast of the 2012 production of the "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" at the Old Globe Theatre. Blanchard returns for a third season in the musical's title role.
/ Henry DiRocco

There's been a flurry of news updates from San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, but we'll start with the scoop on that mean, green dude in the fake Santa getup:

The Globe has just announced the full cast for this year's production of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" -- and has confirmed that it will offer an "autism-friendly" performance of the holiday favorite once again.

That special performance, which will feature slightly toned-down lighting and sound effects plus plenty of other accommodations for those with autism and their families, is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14. It's an encore of an initiative that proved popular in its Globe debut last year. (The idea was inspired by similar efforts on Broadway, sponsored by the Theatre Development Fund.)

Returning in the title role of the family-minded musical (which runs Nov. 16 to Dec. 28) is Steve Blanchard, a veteran of Broadway shows including "Beauty and the Beast." He's joined by such luminaries as Steve Gunderson (making his 11th appearance in the show), Eileen Bowman, Megan Carmitchel, Geno Carr, Nancy Snow Carr, Jacob Caltrider, Randall Dodge and Bets Malone.

Taylor Coleman and Gabriella Dimmick both make their Globe debuts, alternating in the central role of Cindy-Lou Who. And the San Diego-based director James Vasquez once again helms the show, now in its 16th Globe season.

More info and tickets: (619) 234-5623 or theoldglobe.org.

Related to all that: The eighth annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a perennially popular event, happens at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 on the Copley Plaza outside the theater. Members of the "Grinch" cast will perform amid a holiday "snowfall." The event is free but reservations are required; call (619) 234-5623 or email tickets@theoldglobe.org.

And one more thing: The Globe is reprising its “Santa for a Day” contest, whose young winner not only gets a four-pack of tickets to see the "Grinch" at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17, but gets to assist the Grinch in lighting the tree after the show.

The official rules, per the Globe: "Children aged 3-12 may create a drawing expressing what the holidays mean to them, and parents may enter it by emailing a photo of it to contest@theoldglobe.org. Drawings may also be delivered in person to the Globe box office or mailed to 'Santa for a Day' Contest, P.O. Box 122171, San Diego, CA 92112. All submissions will be posted online on the Old Globe’s Facebook page."